Flaming arc floodlight



April 19, 1927. 1,625,315

T. HALL Y FLAMING ARC FLOODLIGHT Filed Jan.21, 1919 3 sheets-sheen /N VENTO /e 7,7%000/75 HALL M Mw /'TTORNEY April 19,1927. 1,625,315

` fr. HALL FLAMING ARC FLOODLIGHT Y Filed Jan. 2lI 1919 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 1,625,315 Aprll 19, 1927. TAHALL A FLAMING ARC FLOODLIGHT Filed 15.11.21, 1919 s sheets-sheetsv 57 l! Egal.

nv VEA/rok Patented pr. 19, 1927.

UNl'i'ED STATES THEODORE HALL, 0F BROOKLYN,

COMIPANY, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, A

NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO THE SPERRY GYROSCOIE CORPORATION 0F NEW YORK.

FLASHING-ARC FLOODLIGHT.

Application tiled January. 21, 1919. Serial No. 272,328.

This invention relates to high-intensity flaming arc lamps, .adapted for eneral or interior illumination and especial y for the illumination ot' moving picture studios.

The main object of the invention is to provide apparatus, for automatically operating the c ectrodes in accordance with the method set forth in the Letters Patent, No. .l,22",210, to ElinerA. Sperry for improvements in method of operatinv Haming arc lights for projectors, particularly adapted for studio work or Hood lighting.

In studio work or Hood lighting, particularly in motion picture work, it is the practice to use direct illumination as distinguished from a reflected beam, that is, 'the light enters the field of illumination directly from the positive crater. Therefore, to get the maximum light into the field, the positive electrode crater should fully face the object illuminated. Since the studio lamp units employed for the pur-posesI stated are usually elevated above the objects 'illumnated, in my present invention, the positive electrode is angularly arranged -to permit the whole beam from the positive crater to enter the Held to be illuminated, and thereby obtain the maximum illumination.

A further obj ectis to providean are lamp of the type s ecified wherein thevmaximum illumination or .the pur ose-stated may be obtained and objectiona lei'shadows' eliminated. Heretofore it'has been common to arrange the electrodes in line in' ii horizontal plane with the result that a shadow' is" present in the center ofthelight Also itis old to arrangethe electrodes in a straight line in a vertical plane with the result that unich of the light emitted by the positive crater is cast directly vertically downwards and is hence lost. B the arrangement of the electrodes`-whic I have provided, however, the central shadow is elimilnated and the maximum amount of 4light from the positive crater made available, While :it the same time 'the' high intensity Hamin are phenomenon referred to vin the aforesai patentto Elmer ArSperry is retained.

Another object is to provide means for preventing spindling of the positive electrode back of the arcing end thereof.

Other objects will'appear as the invention is more fully brought out in the following specification.

Referring to the drawings wherein I have shown what I now consider to be the preferred form of my invention:- y

Fig. l is a side elevation of the lamp.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the control box with the cover removed.

Fi f. 3 is a front elevation ofthe lamp within a searchlight drum mounted on4 a tripod with the lamp in the position for direct or Hood lighting.' f

Fig. 4 is a'detail of the negative electrode holder or carriage, taken on line 4-4, Fig. l; Fig. 5 is a' top view ofA the positive electrode head taken on line 5-5,3Fig.^1. Y

Fig. 6 is a section of the lam drum taken online 6-6, Fig.V 3,'showing diagrammatically the position of the electrodes therein when a reflector is employed. f A Fig. 7'is a view of a' current control de.- vice.

Figs. 8 and 9 are details of means for reg-ulating the rate of feed of the positive electrode, Fig. 8 being taken on line 8 8, Fig. 9, and Fig.' 9 a section on vline 9--9'of` Fig.

Fig. 10 is a view of the' electrode holders, showing a modified formfof positive electrode head wherein a'dead airchamberf attachment is'provided. -i i.

Fig 11 is alwiring" diagram' ofthelamp andits controlling mechanism. *Fig 12 is amodification oftheform of positive electrode head shown-in Fig. 10.

Fig. 413 is a view taken substantially on line 13--13, Fig. 10, showing a modification in the form of electric terminal used to control the osition of the arcing face of the positive eectrode. 1

'-In Fig.'1, the control 'box is shown at 1. A 'standard 2,-the upper'end ofwhich may have formed integral therewith or attached theretoa holder 3 for the positive electrode 4, is mounted on said control box. -As shown, holder 3 forms a. part of standard 2. Said standard carries apair-of brackets 5 and 6 for the negative `electrode 7; said brackets being insulated from. said standard by means of insulation 8 and 9.

The positive electrode holder includes' a member 10 rotatably mounted in bracket' 1-1 secured by screws 12 to the standard 2. Said member 10 is providedv with a bore through which .the electrode 4 passes. The electrode also passes through abore in the end 14 of standard 2 as indicated by dotted lines 13. Member 10 is provided with an'v bracket 11 and enlarged' portion 15 between the end1'4 Aof 'standard 2; aslight clearance being left as at 16 so that member 10 may move lon itudinally in bracket 11.

The en arged part vided with a cutaway portion 17 (see' ig. 9) intolwhic'h ts 1a lever 18, .pivotally attached at one end to part 15 at `19, -and .at thezqther end to as econd lever 20 said lever 20 bei-ng in turn -zpivotally attac ed atene end to part 15 at 21 .and at the other end to a rod 22. lhe. pulling ofsaid rod in the direction 'oi the arrow will ca ulever 18 to press against electrode .4 at and cause member'lO and electrode 4 to move slightly in aeountenzclOQlE-.Wise direction. If rod 22 then Vmoves back .the pressure of llever 1 8 against electrode 4 will'become released and member 10 will be ,caused tov move back slightly -in;-a .-c1.0ck\ise direction. During the saidlbaok movement of member 10, Idesire to .hold 'the electrodefstill. This .will be acoompllshedj by reaching through theend .1410i standard 2 and'pressed'b ,means ofllevers-25 and spring 26 (see also igi .5) against the electrode; said .levers being: pivoted,A asA show-n, in bracket 11 and bracket 27 on standard 2. In order to :prevent member. 10 from rotating uponf'asliglt movementofgrod 22 before lever. 18-grips the .-ele'otrode,' .l may employ abra'king member. 28. -slid `bly' mounted in brackets 29 and 30 and pressed against said member 10 -by spring 31re8tingat one end against bracket-29 and irttheother against shoulder. 32 on -sa'id :braking-member 28. It will thus be seen that afreclprocatorymovement or'l rod- 22, mill effectiastep-by-step rotation of the positive electrode 4. The reci roeatony'..`m'ovemento said rod 22 maylbe e eeted-fas follows:

Rod22lis--pivotallyattached to the upper cranloen'd of acrank rod--34 by-means of a link.35. Saidxrod .rotatably mounted in bruckets 36 -xedfon standard 2- and reaches down into the controlfboxl (see F ig. 2),.and..is Iprovided 'with a second crankg37 oonnectedby-.means of alink 38tp -acrank Bann-the shaft'liOof--a worm-wheel-41. Said wormwheel is adaptedrto bedriven byworm 42. on .the shaft .43 olarfmotoriM-.W-hioh may run constantly .-w-hile the -lamp is-in operation.. 'The .operation of -mfotcr 44 -will through worm-wheelflemnk-,Bil and link 38 atransniit--an oscillatory motion :to crank 37 and throilgh-rod 84:1;0 erank;33,thus in turnefeetingi reeiprooatorymovement of rd122.=. y i

I desire also to provide means for feeding means of Athe brushes 24 10 the positive electrode longitudinally to compensate for consumption. For this purpose I eniploy a stud 45 integral with member 10, projecting 'into agrooved member 46 pivotally carried in a bom-like portion 47 of standard 2. Fixed' on the shaft 48 of said grooved member 46 is an arm 49'to which is fastened a rod 50 (see also Figs. 9, 10) reaching downwardly and attached to the. armature-5l of an electro-magnet 5'2. A spring vmay be provided to hold armature 51' normally in the open or up position as shown in Fig. 10. When armature 51 closes, pulling rod 50 downwardly, grooved member 46 will be caused to rotate slightly (see Fig. 8).

APreferably said grooved member 46 normally occupies'a position at a slight angle to gt-he path of stud .45 on member 10, so that at each movement of member 10 caus ing electrode 4 .to rotate, said member will be caused t0 more hagtudially, carrying theolectrode .forward with it a. distance ual to the amount ofconsnmption o said e ectrodefor'slightly less .than said amount of consumption. The .electrode being released during the back movement of member 1 will not vrecede with the receding of member l`h e above described mechanism for feedin-g and vrotatin the positive electrode is shown and described v;i n greater detail in my cqpending applieationfor gearless eed and rotating mechanism for electrodes, Serial lap-.zaanstad May. .2.1, 1918- It will thus be seen that when the lam oper-atiomthe positive electrode 4 will be constantly rotated step-by-step, and fed fonw-ardat a rate'slightly lessthan the rate of consumption. Means may then be provided to effect the energizationof magnet 52 in responseto the exact position of the arcing f acez 54 of.said electrode for turning grooved member46 through a greater angle to cause s aid. electrode to feed morerapidly. For this .purpose l have shown an electric terminal 5 5 adjacent the arc flame 56. This terminal -may be integrally connected to a shield 5.7 backof the arc, which shield is in turn electrically connected by a conductor 58 toA magnet 52 see also wiring diagram in Eig. 11.)., :and insulated at 150 from standard 2. other sideof said magnet is s how-neonnected bywire 59 to the negative side of the electrical source 60 through the main line 61. current will pass from sonroemline?,electrode 4, the -arc flame 5G` the gases. surrounding said llame, terminal 55, line- 58, coil. 52, thence through lines 59-and 61 backtosource 60. When thc areingfaee o f the-positive electrode reeedes sothatgthe iiame -56.-a.pproach es to .within a predetermined distance -iiom terminal 55, the urrentfpassingijom the terminaLtqthe llame and through coil 52 is designed to overcome the tension of spring 53 and pull down upon armature 51 to effect the aforesaid' rotation of grooved member 46. Throughout; the voperation of the lamp, the position of the arcing face Aof the positive electrode will thus be automatically maintained in a substantially fixed position.

Referring now to the negative electrodeV 7 and the means for controlling and aetuatimY the same, the electrode is shown as gripped between the jaws 63,64 of a clamping device 65. Said jaws are hinged together at 66. A. locking member 67 is shown passing through jaw 63 and may be provided with a shoulder 68. The end of said member is provided with a cam-like knob 69 engaging a projection 70 on jaw 64. The turning of the locking member will tighten or loosen the grip of the clamping device around the electrode.- Said clamping device 65 is an integral part of a carriage 71 slidably mountedA on guide rods 72, 73'attached to brackets" 5, 6, A threaded feed rod '7 4 bearing slidably up and down in brackets 5, 6 engages a pair of threaded members 75 'in Acarriage 7'1.v .A. pin 76 in each of members 75 reachesupwardly into slots 77 in a lever 78 on carriage 71. In the position shown in Fig. 4 threaded members`75are in engagement withfeed rod 74. A slight counter-clockwise rotation of lever 78 around rod 74 will cause the sprea` ling of threaded members 75 by reason of the pins76v engaging slots 77,' so .that carria-ge 71 may be quickly adjusted up 0r down rod 74.

.Rod 74 is connected'through insulation 79 to a' sleeve 8 0'Aslidably l but non-rotatably fitting over a r'od`- 81 on which is fixed 4a gear89- meshing with pinion 90 on shaft 91. Shaft 91 is rotatably mounted in'frame 82 and carries a double disc member 83 provided with pins 84 adapted to engage one or the' other of Fbevel-gears 85, 86 in holes 87. Said bevel gears 85, 86 are-loosely mounted on rod 81 and are constantly rotated by bevel gear 88 on shaft 40 (see also Fig, 2). A spring 92 may be provided resting on frame 82 and engaging pinion 90 for. normally holding discs 83 in a central position disengaged from either of bevel gears 85, 86. A rod 9? rotatably supported in frame-82 is-provided with a bifurcated :ii-n1 94 engaging the shaft 91 between collars 95.. The ends of rod 93 are provided with oppositely directed `arms 96, 97 connected b f linksSS, 99 to the armatures 100, 101 of e ectro-magnets 102, 103. The energizationof one or the other of said magnets 102, 103 will by rocking rod 93 raise o1 lower shaft 91 (pinion 90 being wide enough to permit-such movement without disengaging gear 89) so as to etect the clutching of discs 83 with one or the 'other of bevel gears 85, 86 to cause a rotation in one direction or the other through shaft 91 and gears 90, 89 of the feed rod 74, to raise or lower carriage 71 with electrode 7; the electrode sliding up or down through guides 104 fixed in bracket 5.

I desire to 'provide means for controlling the enervization of magnets 102, 103 in accordance with the current across the arc. A For this purpose I may employ an electroma et 105 with an armature 106 having a roc ring attachment through a flexible means 107 to frame 108. An arm 10:) is shown secured to armature 106 and carrying contacts 110 adapted to engage one or the other of contacts 111, 112. A. spring 113 lmay hold armature 106 ,normally open and thus maintain contacts 110, 112 normally closed. In the wiring diagram, Fig. 11, magnet 105 is shown as connected in series with the arc. lVhen thecurrent across the are 114 is cf a predetermined value the strength of megnet 105 is'designed to overcome the tension of spring 113 sutiicient-ly'to open contacts 110-'112 but not sufiiciently to close contacts 110-111, so that contact 110 is in neutral position as shown in the wiring diagram. lVhen, on the other' hand, the current across the are exceeds the aforesaid redetermined value magnet 105 isdesigne to effect the closing of contents 11o- 111.

Arm 109 carrying contacts 110 is shown connected to the source 60 through line 115, while contacts 111, 112 are connected through lines' 116, 117 to electro-magnets 103, 102 respectively, the other side of which magnets are in turn connected through line 118 to thefother side of source 60.

1 It will thus be seen that after the arc has been struck, the current passing across the are and. through coil 105 will control thc position of contact 110 relative to contacts -111, 112 and consequently the condition o'r" magnets 103, ,102, so that when the are is burning withthe proper current niether of magnets 103, 102 will be energized and electro'de 7 will remain stationary; but that as the electrode is consumed and the arc bccomes tco long, magnet 102 becomes energized and the electrode will be caused to move toward the .positive electrode, while if the arc becomes too short by reason of the feeding of the positive elect-rode so that the current across the arc increases, or if for any other reason the said current should exceed the aforesaid predetermined value, magnet 103 will predominate and cause the negative electrode to move away from the positive electrode until the proper current value is reestablished. By this means the current across the are will be maintained at a fixed value and the light produced will be constant.

For striking the arc when the current is l turned on I have shown a lever 119 pivoted at one end 120 to a post 121 secured to the control box l and engaging at theother end 123 sleeve 8O between collars 122 fixed there-- on, A s ring 12-1 may be provided for' normally holiling lever 119 and consequently rod if' and the negative electrode in the up position as shown, so that the electrode touches electrode 4. Lever 119 is also shown as attacaed to the armature 125 of a solenoid 126. In Fig. 1l solenoid 126 is shown in series with the arc.

`When current is turned on by closing switch 12T, a closed circuit will be established from source 60 through line 62, through electrodes and 4 which as shown in 1" ig. 1 are normally in engagementv with each other, and back through'linel ineluding solenoids 105 and 126. This will energize solenoid 126 causing armature 125, lever 119. feed red 74, and electrode 7 to be 'pulled down as indicated by dotted lines, thus drawing the arc and producing the flame indicated b v dotted lines. The current passing through terminal 55 will now f--tzntrol the position o-the positive electrode. while the current passing throuvh solenoid 105 will control the position of the negative electrode with respect to the positive.

Current may be carried to the electrodes ly attaching the positive lead to abinding post 127 on standard 2 and the negative lead to binding post 128 on bracket 6. I`The current will then pass through standard 2. and enter electrode 4, whence it will flow "cross the arc and throughfelectrode 7 ouide brushes 104. and carriage 71, back to binding post 12S. In this connection it will be seen that the upward flowing `current in standard 2 will exert a .r epelling effect upon the downward flowing current Yacross the arc, thus effecting a steadying influence upon the are `flame 56 in the directioushowil.

In Fig. 3 I have shownthe lanip mounted in a drum 129' substantially similar to a searchlightdrum. In Fig. G the drum is shown as provided with a rojector 130 and a front glass 131. The m is pivotally carried by a pair of arms 132 seeuredto a member 133 which may be rotatably clamped to the top of a tripod 134 so that it may readily be reversed.

To use the lamp for flood lighting for studio purposes the projector .130 may be removed as shown in Fg. 3 and thelamp turned around and the light'perinitted to emanate directly, the projector being used when a beam is desired'.

.In Figs. 1. 3. and a head or shield 57 is for Eprotecting the' .rear and' the shown above the arc aart of the posit-ive elect-rde'jl mechanism. associated therewith from the arc and flame producedthereby. A 'similar suied 5?' (Figs. l and 3) may beemployed below the arc for preventing droppings from the lmrning electrodes frorn'fal'ling electro upon the `f eed rod 74.01- other associated parts and clogging them.

When the lamp is in the drum 129 the control box 1 is adapted to be sldably mounted in a compartment 135 depending from the drum 129 as shown in Fig. 3. having a knob or" the like 137 and having threaded engagement with a bracket 1 38 fixed to the .control box 1 vmay project through the front w ll .139 of compartment 135. A pair of collars 141, 141 may fixed on rod '136 on either side of said wall 139. Turning of`knob 137 will thus shift control box 1 backward or forward in com partaient 135, and consequently vary the distance of,the tip of the ositive electrode from the projector 130. his will enable the operator 'to readily vary the width of the beam.

In Fig. I have shou-'naniodied electrode head 1,4() fr the positive 'electrode l in the form ofv a hollow sleeve positionedon the 'forward portion of theholder 3. By the Aforward portion of.th e;l1older` I mean the portion .nearest the ar'cing end of tl1 i. lec trede. In' this form -an'enelosed air space 241 is provided, ndng the electrode back o f theehurning en 54. The walls 142 surrounding said air space may be metallic and terminal may be directly attached thereto and l conducting .,rod. 58 attached to said walls. These wall'smay also form the shield ofthe arc.` i

The 'dead air spacesnrrgundinv electwde adjacent its burhngn revent -spin-ding ofthe electrode since-311 t mygen therein will .bebumedplt a few minutes after. the ,jre is'lighted by the lfdbotrbon. Alsoheat be abstracted from the @leen-odset a rate with the arrangement hretti .ore-

Qyet using-.a refracto heatinsulatnv eeve. (Seethe United tafels patent to firnerv A .Spify No. 1,362,575, dated December 14, 1 920, quartz sleeve'ZlO, Fg..

' In ig. `1,2 tl 1e. air'in' espace' 2.41 does not tpu'htbe electrode 4, but is 'separated therefrom bynrtition 14.3 in di@ fr?! Qf a tube" through thel'eetrode Air may then be forced i to .space 241 through 'tube 144 andreirmt'ted tgcirculgte throu h.Y the ace and out through holes 145 ,a jacent t e 'top' f, heelectrode head 149'. circulatmnpfir wjl serie to keep the velegztl-'lgglga head and the end of the de adiaeent .its mme ace 54 cool of'sid .electrode to and prevlit spindlig an even-.more-gniirked degreelthanjhe form sl1own'in Fig,"12', sinc'efth cooled wailsof tube 14.3. absorbe@ fronihe rica het ngctiode very rapidly 15X i396) rliflgn and the. Cbncticaeuments 'the fleasrlbetween thel electr'og" 'and said ."tubel` The Space 170 between 'th #befreite and wist! A rod 136 be n los

shield on said holder and adapted to surround said electrode adjacent its arcing end, an electric terminal on said shield, and means for controlling said feeding means adapted to be connected in electrical circuit with said shield and one of said electrodes.

4. Inan arc light, the combination with an electrode holder, of means formaintaining the arc in a predetermined position including an electric conductor positioned on said holder and means responsive to the proximity of the arc to said conductor and adapted to operate by the flow of current from the arc, and constantly driven mechanism for rotating the electrode.

5. In an aijc'lamp, an elect-rodeholder, an electric conductor at' the portion thereof adjacentthe. are, 'feeding and rotating mechanism for the electrode comprising an electrode engaging surface inovablehack'and forth across the periphery of the electrode, means for causing engagement of said surface with the electrode in one direction only for moving such surface, and means controlled by the proximity of the .arc iame to said conductor .for altering the plane of such movement to control the feed.

' 6. In a flaming arc light, a. positive and a negative electrode, the `crater o the positive electrode containing the principal light source, means for feeding the positive electrode, a third electrode above the arc in the path of the tail flame, and means controlled by the relative position of said third electrode and said arc for controlling -said feeding means to maintain said source in a given position.

7. In an are light for photography, a

drum having an opening in each end,' a negative electrode therein, a positive lelectrode positioned therein with its crater inclined to the negative electrode and pointing towards one end of the drum, means whereby a refiector may be secured to such end and a rotatable mounting for the drum.

8. In an arc light for photography, a drum having an opening in each end. a negative electrode therein, a positive electrode positioned therein with its cra-ter inclined tothe negative electrode and pointing towards one end of the drum, and means whereby a refiector may he secured to such end.

' 9. In an arc lamp for projector purposes, the combination with the positive and'negavtive electrode holders of a metallic forward portion on the positive electrode holder insulated therefrom and adapted to surround -the electrode without touching the sa'mc. means for rotating and feeding the positive electrode through its holder, and means electrically connected with said forward portion for controlling said feeding means in response to the'approaeh of the arc flame to said portion, and independent feeding means for the negative electrode.

,10. In an arc lamp, an electrode holder, a'head on said holder and through which said electrode extends. said head having means for cooling said electrode and for "shielding the' hot portion of saidelectrode from the moving air, means for feeding said electrode through s aid head, and means vfor controlling said feeding means comprising an electric circuit including said head.

' ,In testimony whereof I have afiixed my signature.

` THE ODORE HALL. 

